Hacker News Reader

The challenge that the USA faces is the people who have the power to change it are the very ones who benefit the most from it.

There are MANY established institutions in the USA that will fight tooth and nail not to change, because the established players are getting exceedingly rich the way things are now, to the detriment of everyone else.

Yeah. How is change supposed to come when they control the system that's supposed to bring it about? If you try to fix things outside the system, you essentially become a terrorist and the government gives itself license to do unspeakable things to you.

Lobbying is essentially a constitutionally protected right, right? Comes from the right to petition our government.

Why do you want to make it illegal for me to contact my representative and voice my opinion on upcoming legislation -- that's also lobbying.

As long as id does not involve money direct or indirect between "lobbyist" and the official sure go and convince your rep. Just do not promise cushy job later or for relatives or any other creative ways to buy your politicians.